Table of Contents:

A look at Louisville happenings

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) moving across and down the state

Humboldt Poultry Fanciers’ Association (HPFA) has found a new Show Home

2024 Avian Bowl Qualifier

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A look at Louisville happenings

Captions: The California State Champions were recognized as the National Champions at the 4-H National Poultry & Egg Conference.

Shown at the Awards Banquet: L to R Tuilerie Gayeton, Chloe Hausmann,  Dr. Mickey Hall (National Avian Bowl Co-chair), Rylin Gamble, and Samantha Downey (Coach).

       At the podium announcing the awards, Dr. Francine Bradley (Avian Bowl National Avian Bowl Co-chair)

The experience was more than the Avian Bowl completion and awards banquet.

     Caption: The teammates started 2023 with a big dream and then studied, practiced, and studied some more.

      Caption: The team members were well-coached and ready to step up to the plate, both at the Louisville Slugger Factory and at Avian Bowl.

      Caption:  At the amazing Kentucky Derby Museum within Churchill Downs, Bowlers started to dream of being in the Winner’s Circle.

     Caption: Team members were blessed with a great support group of coach, parents, and a super fan aunt from Boston!

    Caption: Our champions have experienced the bright lights of the national championship and are now back in California, ready to support California’s future Avian Bowlers.

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) moving across and down the state

       While HPAI detections can be expected during the periods of wild bird migrations, it is still a shock when they occur in our state.   At this writing on Dec. 5th, in the last week there have been positive detections in Fresno, Sonoma, and San Benito counties.  We have come to suspect introductions of the virus by wild birds and humans failing to practice proper biosecurity.   The recent outbreaks in Sonoma County are more frightening.   Both the commercial duck ranch and the commercial laying hen operation have been targeted by an extremist animal rights group, Direct Action Everywhere.    According to the Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, both the duck and egg operations were infiltrated by protestors.   The time of the trespassing was within the incubation period of the HPAI virus.   Therefore, all poultry producers must do everything possible to protect their birds from not just wild birds, but bio-terrorists.

Dr. Bradley

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Humboldt Poultry Fanciers’ Association (HPFA) has found a new Show Home

       It is a pleasure to report that the HPFA have found a new venue for their winter show.    The new location in Samoa is not available in 2024 for the show’s traditional February weekend.   HPFA officer, Harry Majors, says they may be able to pull off an April show in 2024, but will definitely have their February show in 2025.   Welcome back – we have missed the great competition and hospitality!

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2024 Avian Bowl Qualifier

     The Qualifier will once again be held at the Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers’ Show in Fresno.   The date will be Feb. 24, 2024.    Look for Avian Bowl entry forms and specifics on all the youth activities in the January issue of Avian Science Notes.                                                                                                                                    -Dr. Francine Bradley

       Extension Poultry Specialist Emerita